Mum, 28, who ‘lived for her kids’ dies just 48 hours after giving birth to ‘perfect’ daughter

Just 48 hours after giving birth to her "perfect" daughter, a young mum who “lived for her kids” has tragically died.

Jessica Walden gave birth to second child Orla Anne last Friday (7 May), but sadly died just days later while in hospital in Ipswich.

The 28-year old had suffered several complications towards the end of her pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, which required frequent overnight hospital stays.

It was eventually decided that Mrs Walden should be induced at 37 weeks, in order to reduce the chances of harm to her baby.

‘The most loving person I know’

Orla's birth was otherwise a smooth one, with Mrs Walden's husband Jack telling The Sun the arrival of his daughter was "absolutely perfect".

He described his wife as having “smashed” the birth with "no pain relief, no nothing”, and said he remembered his wife saying “she was so proud [that] she'd done it.”

But an issue with the delivery of Mrs Walden’s placenta meant she had to be rushed to theatre so it could be removed.

"It wouldn't deliver," said Mr Walden. They took her to theatre to remove it, and whilst doing so, she went into cardiac arrest.”

Mrs Walden’s cardiac arrest was triggered by severe blood loss as a result of placental complications. Doctors were able to revive her after 20 minutes of CPR, but the blood loss could not be stemmed.

An emergency hysterectomy was performed, and though Walden was placed on life support in the wake of the procedure, the operation seemed to have saved her life.

But she sadly died in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 9 May. An official cause of death is yet to be established.

“She was just brilliant," said Mr Walden. "She lived for her kids. She was the most loving person I know.”

‘Mummy has gone up to Mr Moon’

Before her death, Mrs Walden was visited by her newborn daughter, and although she was in intensive care, knew “exactly what was going on.”

"We brought Orla up to intensive care and laid her on her,” said Mr Walden. “She definitely realised what was happening, because her blood pressure went through the roof.

“She could definitely understand what was going on, which was really nice.”

Mr Walden explained the heartbreaking task of delivering the news to two-year-old daughter, Elsie.

He said: "I explained that mummy had a baby in her tummy, which she knew, and the baby is out but mummy has been poorly and the doctors kept her asleep.

“I told her that mummy has gone up to Mr Moon. I didn't think she understood, but last night I was putting her to bed and she said 'baby out, and mummy is sitting on the moon'.”

A JustGiving page has been set up to support Walden’s family through these trying times, as Mr Walden praised the staff at Ipswich Hospital for the support he has been given and the care his wife received.

The money will contribute towards funeral costs and support for the family, and at the time of writing, the page had raised nearly £28,000, 2,762 per cent of its initial £1,000 goal.

“I'm so overwhelmed by the support already," said Mr Walden. "Reading the comments has been lovely.”

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